SAGINAW, MI — As a child, one of my absolute favorite places to be was in the back of the children's section of Butman-Fish Library, seated next to a stack of books I had randomly grabbed off the shelves.

No, I wasn't an introverted child who only found comfort in a good book. I was actually one of the most social kids you could find, but I loved my alone time with the various characters and information I found while reading.

The library at 1716 Hancock played a vital role in my youth, and it continued its value when I got the chance to work there before I launched my career in journalism.

Since I stopped working there, my relationship with Butman-Fish Library is far less prominent in my life than I would like. I found myself in the familiar building Thursday, July 3, to spend a couple of hours volunteering.

Each year, the Public Libraries of Saginaw join other library systems throughout the state for a summer reading program.

Rossman is right. Volunteering at the summer reading program table isn't an intense experience, but you actually are helping quite a bit.

If there weren't volunteers to man the table, staff members would have to add the summer reading program work to their already full list of duties. That's something I know from my experience working at the library.

Plus, those who volunteer can focus their attention solely on those coming to sign up and collect prizes. A wait time is rare.

And it isn't just convenient for the patrons. It is a joy for the volunteers.

"You meet a lot of people," Rossman said. "It's fun."

The summer reading program continues through July 26, though anyone interested in signing up must do so by July 19 at any of the five Public Libraries of Saginaw locations or online at saginawlibrary.org.

To volunteer, you can contact the library of your choice:

Butman-Fish Library, 1716 Hancock, 989-799-9160

Claytor Library, 1410 N. 12th, 989-753-5591

Hoyt Library, 505 Janes, 989-755-0904

Wickes Library, 1713 Hess, 989-752-8685

Zauel Memorial Library, 3100 N. Center, 989-799-2771

To sign up as a library "friend," fill out the membership application and mail it to the library or personally deliver it to the library of your choice. Don't forget to include the membership fee, which ranges in price from $5 to $500, based on age and level of commitment. If you have any questions call 989-755-9833.

And, if you're looking for some reading material, I suggest The Saginaw News.

— Jessica Shepherd is an entertainment reporter with MLive/The Saginaw News. Contact her at 989-996-0687, email her at jessica_shepherd@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter or Facebook. You can also hear her Fridays at 8 a.m. on 102.5 WIOG's Nate and Rachel in the Morning.